Rachel Eich - Technology Magazine

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Learning Analytics

Teaching with Technology

Rachel Eich Br. Marshall Brigham Young University -
Ed 243-01 April 2019 Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho

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Learning Analytics

Rachel A. Eich
Ed. 243-01

Dr. David Marshall
1 April 2019

Brigham Young University - Idaho

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Table of Contents

Cover page………………………………………………… 1
Title page………………………………………………….. 2
Table of Contents…………………………………………. 3
About the Author…………………………………………. 4
Abstract……………………………………………………. 5
Article……………………………………………………… 6

References…………………………………………. 8
Advertisement…………………………………………….. 9
Interviews…………………………………………………. 10
Back Page…………………………………………………. 14

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About the Author

Rachel Eich

Rachel Eich was pre-schooled at home, but the rest of her education has come from public schooling. In
sixth grade she tested into a gifted and talented program. Her first year of junior high she participated in
the IB program. She took honors and AP classes throughout junior high and high school. She attended
Northridge High School in Layton, Utah. She is currently attending Brigham Young University-
Idaho as a freshman majoring in elementary education.

Rachel Eich believes there is value in lecturing, group work, hands-on activities, discussion, and individual
study. She doesn’t think that one method is better than others, but that one should use a variety of
different methods in order to cater to the needs of each individual student. Every student has a different
learning style and Rachel hopes to incorporate as many as she can in her teaching. She believes that
learning is most memorable when it can be associated with something fun or exciting. Therefore, she
plans on using a lot of experiments and field trips to teach her students rather than solely using book-
work and lectures.

Rachel Eich wishes to provide an environment that will facilitate learning and creativity. She wants her
future classroom to be bright, warm and welcoming to everyone. In her future classroom Rachel envisions
a place where the children’s projects are hung on the walls and there are colorful pictures and posters.
She will arrange the desks either in tables or rows to provide opportunities for social growth and
organization. All her students will have jobs/chores in the classroom to help them learn responsibility.
She will have strict limits to promote kindness and accountability.

Rachel plans on continuing to attend BYU-I and receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
After school she hopes to begin working as a teacher in Utah. She would like to work at either an
elementary school or a middle school/junior high. She plans on working at a school for a few years before
getting a master’s in education.

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Abstract

Technology is being used more often in schools all across the United States than it has in
the past. As schools invest in online learning programs it is important to consider which
programs will be the best fit. Many programs employ learning analytics to evaluate student
performance. Learning analytics is the collection, measurement, and analysis of data from the
student’s performance for the purpose of improving learning programs and environments.
Learning analytics can be used in schools to show students what areas they need to work harder
on, help teachers plan for future lessons, and give schools an idea of how well their students are
doing in any given subject. It helps computer learning programs and online tests be more
adaptive and therefore gather more accurate information on the students’ understanding. Many
schools are currently using learning analytics for adaptive testing because it gives a more
accurate assessment of students’ abilities. There are still some bugs to be worked out, but
computer assessment programs have been making huge strides to provide detailed, reliable test
results. Learning analytics has been around for many years now, but not as extensively in
children’s education. It is becoming more popular as technology is integrated more into our
schools. Learning analytics is closely related to educational data mining. Data mining is a
research field concerned with studying how people learn by gathering statistics from educational
settings. There are many other such specialties that relate to learning analytics, and all of them
can provide a way for us to improve our education system. It enables teachers and
administrators to see exactly how each child is doing. It allows testing to be much more specific
and catered to each individual student’s level of understanding so that we know exactly what
they know and what they don’t know.

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Learning Analytics certain type of question wrong, the program
will repeatedly ask the student problems of
By Rachel Eich the same type until it is answered correctly.
Online learning systems can evaluate a
What are learning analytics? student’s understanding and improve their
experience based on their needs through the
Learning analytics is a fresh, new use of problem definition and statistics, (The
way of measuring student success. There is Lace Project). The computer program
some disagreement on an exact definition of collects information from the questions, and
learning analytics, but the most popular if the student’s answer is right, they get to
definition is: “Learning analytics is the move on to harder questions. Some
measurement, collection, analysis and programs can also analyze the statistics of
reporting of data about learners and their how many questions an individual student
contexts, for purposes of understanding and answered correctly and how many questions
optimizing learning and the environments in the entire class answered correctly to give
which it occurs,”(Seimens, 2011). To the teacher a good jumping-off point for
summarize, learning analytics is the future lessons, as well as identify those who
collection of information from the student may need further individual tutoring.
which can then be measured and analyzed.
We can use this analysis to get into the Learning analytics is closely related
student’s head and see how well they to data mining, a research field that studies
understand whatever topic we are testing. how people learn. In data mining, statistics
This information can help determine future are gathered from educational settings and
lessons and give teachers the information then analyzed. These and other forms of
they need to cater their lessons to each data collection analysis can be extremely
student’s needs as well as make sure that helpful in understanding how students learn.
students fully understand each topic before
they move on to a higher difficulty. Current Use in Schools

In virtual learning environments such Some schools are using Learning
as computer games and tests, learning Analytics in their testing programs. In
analytics can be used to modify the Layton, Utah, students take the SAGE test
questions, sort of like a “Chose Your Own which gives the students questions at
Adventure” test. If a student answers a different difficulty levels, depending on if
they answered the first few questions right.
When a student gets a correct answer, the
next question is at a higher difficulty level.
Spencer Eich, a fifth grade student in
Layton, Utah says that, “I would say that it
helps kids understand what they can and
cannot do….” SAGE testing is currently
being used not only to evaluate the students’
understanding, but to let the student know
what they need to work on. Learning

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analytics can be a good way to help students However, many parents decided to
realize what subjects they are strong at and opt their children out of participating
what subjects they should be focusing on because the questions didn’t correspond
more. In Utah, this test is also an evaluation with what was being taught in the
of the teachers and how well they have classrooms and it was cause a lot of
taught the common core subjects. If too frustration. Now, many schools are
many of their students answer one question implementing a new testing system that will
wrong, it reflects poorly on the teacher. hopefully be better aligned with the
classroom. One con of learning analytics is
Many schools also use learning that if the testing system is not aligned with
management systems such as Canvas, which what is being taught in the classroom it can
according to Northwestern, “is a major cause frustration and inaccuracy.
source of online learning data…. These
dashboards show general activity and For young audiences, learning
participation metrics as well as feedback on analytics can be a great way to evaluate
performance,” (Northwestern). For the learning because students already
teacher, Canvas can be used to gauge how understand technology well. As Keelin
many people are regularly turning in their Loefke, a student of elementary education at
assignments on time, who participates the BYU-Idaho, states, “It’s a language they
most in class and online discussions, and already speak fluently.” Using technology
how much of the class is currently passing. to test students can be fun and engaging.
It can compile data much quicker than a Many programs for younger students are
teacher could do manually and shows trends designed to pique their interest and make
that might not have been obvious before. learning more fun.

Pros and Cons Learning Analytics gives schools the
feedback that they need to cater their lessons
As mentioned before, schools in to the students’ needs. It benefits all of
Utah have been using SAGE testing to those involved in education:
evaluate students and teachers since 2014. It
was hoped that since the program was Students – offers feedback on their
computer-adaptive it would be able to judge
academic performance more accurately. In own work
an article of the Salt Lake Tribune, Rich
Nye, the superintendent of Ogden City Teachers - shows engagement
School District stated that the SAGE test is
“the best assessment the state has ever had,” trends and course effectiveness
because of its ability to, “provide a robust
metric for us to gauge student performances,
the success of our system, and areas that we
need to make improvements with
instruction,” (Wood, 2017).

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Administration – offers References

perspective on trends and impacts of Northwestern, Measuring and Analyzing Student
activities, departments, and Data; Learning Analytics,
curriculum https://digitallearning.northwestern.edu/learning
-analytics
Instructional designers and
support staff – gives perspective Siemens, G., 5 August 2011, Learning and
Academic Analytics,
on impact and effectiveness of online http://www.learninganalytics.net/?p=131
course design choices
(Northwestern) The Lace Project, What Are Learning
Analytics?,
As long as the program is working http://www.laceproject.eu/faqs/learning-
correctly and running smoothly, learning analytics/#reference-02
analytics can be incredibly beneficial to all
parties involved. It is important to make Wood, Benjamin, 14 October 2017, “Goodbye,
sure that whatever program you use for SAGE. Utah Board of Education picks new
testing aligns with what is being taught in vendor for statewide testing.” The Salt Lake
the classroom. Instructional designers Tribune,
should be careful to communicate with the https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2017/10/
teachers to provide a program that will 13/goodbye-sage-utah-board-of-education-
accurately test the students. As technology picks-selects-new-vendor-for-statewide-testing/
improves and becomes more integrated into
our schools, learning analytics can help
make sure that students are understanding
and retaining information.

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Keelin Loefke A. 3 – It’s a little confusing, but it sounds
like it will help children learn because it can
Student tell how the children are learning and how
you can improve. By collecting data like
Elementary Education major this, you could actually do experiments on
the way that children learn to improve
BYU-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho learning programs.

Q. 1 - What types of technology would you Q. 4 - What concerns would you have with
like to see in classrooms? using this technology?

A. 1 – I’ve heard of Augmented Reality A. 4 – Privacy. With elementary school kids
where children can experience activities like you have to have instructions written out so
chemistry experiments without actually that they don’t use their full names or use
using dangerous chemicals. easy passwords, so for kids they have to
actually be trained on how to be safe in a
Q. 2 - What experiences have you had with computer environment.
technology in the classroom?
Q. 5 - As a future teacher, would you like to
A. 2 – Being homeschooled, none, but in the see this in your classroom?
elementary school that I teach at they have a
projector that the kids can interact with and A. 5 – Yeah, I think it would be really cool
be taught by a robot! They also use their and make lesson planning a lot easier. It
iPads for math tests. It makes math more keeps the kids more interested as well. It’s
interesting for them. [technology, electronics] a language that
they already speak fluently.
In virtual learning environments, learning
analytics is the measurement, collection, and Wayne Davis
analysis of input from the student. The
purpose of learning analytics is to improve 4th grade teacher
learning outcomes and the overall learning
process in electronic learning and computer- 40 years experience; Standard
supported education. It offers additional Teaching Certificate 1-8; Reading
ways to observe how students learn and Specialist K-12; Administrative
improve how teachers and electronic Endorsement K-12
education programs teach. Through the use
of problem definition and statistics, online Lincoln Elementary, Rexburg,
learning systems can evaluate a student’s Idaho
understanding and improve their experience
based on their needs.

Q. 3 - What are your first impressions of this
technology?

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Q. 1 - What types of technology would you process in electronic learning and computer-
like to see in classrooms? supported education.  It offers additional
ways to observe how students learn and
A. 1 – I would like to see interactive improve how teachers and electronic
textbooks where the student can log in and education programs teach.  Through the use
be able to explore subjects safely. When we of problem definition and statistics, online
first got computers, most teachers on the learning systems can evaluate a student’s
district committee were voting for “games” understanding and improve their experience
that could be played. I wanted something based on their needs.
that they could write their stories with. It
expanded and we got cameras that we could Q. 3 - What are your first impressions of this
make presentations with the pictures that technology?
were digital. I saw laser discs that start tons
of information, but couldn’t afford A. 3 – I have always been interested in
them. The possibilities were endless and virtual learning. I would love to see it and
they still are! find out how user friendly it is and what the
specific benefits are. I’ve seen too many
Q. 2 - What experiences have you had with things come and go without first trying it out
technology in the classroom? and exploring it.

A. 2 – I was one of about five people Q. 4 - What concerns would you have with
involved in the groundwork of setting up the using this technology?
original lab at Lincoln Elementary. This lab
was the first one in the district and other A. 4 – How user friendly is it? What is the
schools patterned their labs after us. I was a cost? Are all the bugs ironed out?
member of the district’s computer and
technology committee for many years. I Q. 5 - As a teacher, would you like to see
took care of up to 52 computers in our this in your classroom?
building until the district started hiring
“techies” for the buildings. Because I had A. 5 – I want to see it first, but it sounds like
been able to take care of the computers in I would.
the building, I was allowed to have extra
computers in my room as they traded out old Sarah Eich
ones for new ones. (I got the old ones
because I could keep them running.) Parent of 5th grade student

In virtual learning environments, learning Layton, Utah
analytics is the measurement, collection, and
analysis of input from the student.  The Q. 1 - What types of technology would you
purpose of learning analytics is to improve like to see in classrooms?
learning outcomes and the overall learning

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A. 1 –Our school has a laptop for each well enough and then it wouldn’t be an
student in their classroom for the 3 oldest accurate reflection of the student’s abilities.
grades. I think laptops are very useful. It
might be good to have some engineering Q. 5 - As a parent, would you like to see this
tools like 3D printers or robotics as well. in your child's classroom?

Q. 2 - What experiences have you had with A. 5 – I would love to give it a whirl. I think
technology in the classroom? it would be super helpful especially if it
didn’t let the student move on until they
A. 2 – not much. Just watching students on understand the concept in each question. I
the laptops, sometimes playing games when want to see if it really works. In a typical
they shouldn't be. teaching setting you teach everyone the
same, so this would give you the opportunity
In virtual learning environments, learning to teach to the individual It can be more
analytics is the measurement, collection, and geared toward individual students.
analysis of input from the student. The
purpose of learning analytics is to improve Spencer Eich
learning outcomes and the overall learning 5th grade student
process in electronic learning and computer-
supported education. It offers additional Mountain View Elementary,
ways to observe how students learn and Layton, Utah
improve how teachers and electronic
education programs teach. Through the use Q. 1 - What types of technology would you
of problem definition and statistics, online like to see in classrooms?
learning systems can evaluate a student’s
understanding and improve their experience A. 1 –I would like to replace all white
based on their needs. boards. Boogie boards are an electronic
white board, pretty much. You are able to
Q. 3 - What are your first impressions of this draw with a stylist and then push a button to
technology? erase the whole thing. If we split the white
board into sections, and turn them into
A. 3 – I think it would be very beneficial for boogie boards. The reason they should be in
the software to understand a child's needs sections is because you can draw and erase
and be able to target learning for that in one section, without erasing the whole
specific child. thing.

Q. 4 - What concerns would you hve with Q. 2 - What experiences have you had with
using this technology? technology in the classroom?

A. 4 – If it is not running properly, it could
cause frustration for the child. The teacher
might not have taught it to them or taught it

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A. 2 –We are able to use our own laptops, I Name: Scott Loefke
have had experience with turning on and off
(mostly on) the iPad for airplay, and then Title: Social Science Chair
turn on and off the over-head.
Credentials: Clear Single Subject,
In virtual learning environments, learning CLAD
analytics is the measurement, collection, and
analysis of input from the student. The Location: Warner Unified School
purpose of learning analytics is to improve District, Warner Springs, CA
learning outcomes and the overall learning
process in electronic learning and computer- Q. 1 - What types of technology would you
supported education. It offers additional like to see in classrooms?
ways to observe how students learn and
improve how teachers and electronic A. 1 – Smart boards
education programs teach. Through the use
of problem definition and statistics, online Q. 2 - What experiences have you had with
learning systems can evaluate a student’s technology in the classroom?
understanding and improve their experience
based on their needs. A. 2 – Document cameras, video projectors,
Lap top computers for each student.
Q. 3 - What are your first impressions of this
technology?A. 3 – I’ve heard it before and it In virtual learning environments, learning
works pretty well. It sounds like what we do analytics is the measurement, collection, and
with SAGE testing; every year we do it. I analysis of input from the student. The
would say that it helps kids understand what purpose of learning analytics is to improve
they can and cannot do based on their learning outcomes and the overall learning
unique talents and personalities. process in electronic learning and computer-
supported education. It offers additional
Q. 4 - What concerns would you have with ways to observe how students learn and
using this technology? improve how teachers and electronic
education programs teach. Through the use
A. 4 – I would say that many young students of problem definition and statistics, online
might take this as an insult because if your learning systems can evaluate a student’s
score is low then they might be offended. understanding and improve their experience
based on their needs.
Q. 5 - As a student, would you like to see
this in your classroom? Q. 3 - What are your first impressions of this
technology?
A. 5 – Yes, because computers nowadays
are able to take the information that kids are A. 3 – We have used this for many years for
giving the computers and turn it into a base diagnostic testing and reading intervention,
for them to learn. it can be effective for some students.

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Q. 4 - What concerns would you have with students share that it is simply too much
using this technology? effort.

A. 4 – Having taught for many years I have Q. 5 - As a teacher and principal, would you
come to realize that technology does not like to see this in your classroom/school?
work well with all students. In using these A. 5 – We do use this as mentioned above,
types of programs I have found that some but there always needs to be an alternative,
students simply race through in order to be one size does not fit all in education as
finished, or sit and gaze at the screen, almost learning styles and IEP accommodations
mesmerized, for both of these cohorts these simply do not allow for one program
analytic programs do not work well, as they approach.
do not show the true abilities of the students.
It is the same with online state standards [1849]
testing, if the students have to scroll through
a long reading, they rarely will, if it is not on
one page, it doesn't get looked at. The

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Learning Analytics

“Through the use of problem
definition and statistics, online
learning systems can evaluate a
student’s understanding and improve
their experience based on their

needs.”